Lab results for RA

[sabbath13]

Hi!
I have posted in other areas of medhelp but this is my first time at the RA/Arthritis site.  I have a follow up rheumatology appointment on Sept. 7th 2010.

I had my blood work done and couldn't wait to see my doctor so I called the lab and picked up my report myself.

My results show that I don't test for RF but do have an elevated C-Reactive Protein, elevated anti-CCP, and positive ANA (speckled pattern).  My sed rate was normal.

I also have many physical symptoms of RA including intense flares.

All of my "positives" were weakly positive.  I figure if I take those in consideration with my physical symptoms that I most likely have RA.

I know posters aren't medical doctors but I would like to get opinions from others that have been at this point in their lives.  Is it probable that I have RA? I will take whatever opinions you have as just that...an opinion. Sop, please don't worry that you will be diagnosing me :)

I guess I just want feedback since my doc appointment is a week away.  I appreciate and thank anyone who takes time to answer my post!

~Sabbath

[carolanivey]

Well, then let me be the first to say "hey!" ;)

My mother's family is from the Robeson/Scotland county area; my father's people lived up in the mountains - Flat Rock, Fruitlands, Hendersonville, Rutherfordton. So I have sandhills and Smoky Mountain granite in my veins. I've lived most of my life in Ohio, though. :) My mom and sister live in the High Point area. We were just down in Kure Beach a couple months ago, and popped up to Wilmington to mess around for a day. My mom has a lot of good memories of that place. :)

If you're on Facebook, Check out the RA Warrior page and the RA Chicks page. Both good places to meet nice people.

I get what you're saying about not wanting to have the disease, but it's always somewhat of a relief to have a name to pin to what's wrong with you. :) At least then you have a jumping off point for what comes next.

Hugs,
Carolan

[sabbath13]

Carol!

I just looked at your profile and saw that you are a North Carolina native! I am as well...I grew up in Wilmington and Charlotte...but have lived in Chapel Hill, Asheville, and Waynesville...my mom is visiting me right now from Wilmington...(  a huge relief because she will be here for my next doctor's visit)

It is a small world indeed...and seems to get smaller and smaller...

Take care

and anyone else who has an opinion on my situation...I would still love to hear from you :)

[sabbath13]

Thank you so much for your answer!

I do feel that with my lab results and symptoms I will be diagnosed.
(My anti-CCP was elevated and the statistics related to that test are 95-98% positive you have RA ..from my understanding)

Don't get me wrong I am not WANTING to have this disease..or be diagnosed with it for that matter. I just know that if it isn't RA then I have to find out what it is because my life has already been drastically effected by these symptoms.  

Thank you again for sharing.  I have done a bit of research on RA and I have found mountains of great information but what surprised me was the sheer amount of support, RA forums, and communities of people that have banded together to talk and reach out to others coping with this issue.  That has given me so much hope as far as keeping a positive attitude and facing this fear head on!  A little positive support can go a long, long way!

Take care and I will definitely keep you posted!  I see my rheumy next Tuesday the 7th of September!

~Sabbath

[carolanivey]

Yes, it is definitely quite common to have all the physical symptoms and have negative or inconclusive blood test results. A blood test is only one tool in diagnosis, not the definitive yes or no.

In the presence of your physical symptoms, you should be treated for RA, and get your blood tests repeated periodically. There is often a delay between onset of symptoms and anything showing up in lab results. I myself have been in a full-body flare and my blood shows no evidence of it - until weeks or months afterward.

RA is a weird disease, and it's different for everyone who has it - there's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to symptoms or treatment. IMO it should be classified as a syndrome - a loose collection of symptoms - rather than a clearly identified cause-and-effect illness like a virus. Sufferers might have all the possible symptoms, or only some of them. Or one.

Good luck with the appointment, keep us posted!